Costumed Interpretation
Costumed interpretation (in either first or third-person) is available for a range of late medieval and Tudor subject areas. I am also experienced in less formal hands-on demonstrations (a continual flow of people as opposed to set workshops), but these demonstrations could easily be adapted into a workshop presentation if preferred. This often includes:
- numeracy (the use of medieval counting boards, money and its value (visitors can watch coins being stamped and keep one as a souvenir),
- food and diet with hands-on butter-churning, kneading bread etc,
- textile crafts including braiding, spinning and dyeing,
- handling of arms and armour and more.
Most aspects of Medieval and Tudor life such as these could be developed into a workshop, particularly as many of these have already been developed as 'hands-on' activities (for example, I have 'child-friendly' drop-spindles and easy-to-spin wool, and have taught medieval finger-braiding to children and adults with a wide range of abilities, encouraging them to make 'friendship bracelets' to keep).
I am experienced at tailoring activities to suit the venue, military aspects when working at the National Army Museum, domestic when working at most National Trust sites, for example. I have developed sessions outside of standard 'education rooms', from museum galleries and tours of properties, to outdoor presentations, and I have access to not only good quality period clothing, but also a wide range of props and accurate reproductions that facilitate this flexible approach.